Last year, the cockapoo started limping like crazy on his back left leg. It seems to start suddenly, so we assumed he pulled a muscle. Except it never really got better- it just kind of changed in degrees of severity, from a slight favoring to an all out limp or completely holding it off the ground.
I took to the internet, and found a lot of dog owners with similar problems had used Cosequin DS to help. I started him on it, and he improved significantly over the next month.
Then a few weeks ago, the same thing happened with his front left leg, but very suddenly and much worse. He didn't want to walk at all on it, and he hunched his back and seemed like he couldn't lift his head all the way. In the morning, he could barely raise his head. In addition, the back leg seemed weak again. We could tell he was in pain, and of course we felt terrible. Clearly the Cosequin wasn't doing the trick anymore.
Immediately we had him at the vet. She gave him an exam and said it was arthritis. She gave us some Tramadol to give him twice a day, along with some information on range of motion exercises we could do with him.
But I just couldn't give up that easily. I wanted a miracle pill. I understand that dogs are going to age, and it wasn't unreasonable to think he had arthritis...but this came on so quick and severely that I really felt like it was something...I don't know...maybe fixable?
Back to the internet research!
I quickly found a product called Nzymes. Their website had a lot of hype and testimonials and blah blah, but at this point I was open to just about anything. To be sure I wouldn't do more harm than good, I asked the vet about the ingredient list. She said that even though the ingredients were more for digestive issues, the treats would not hurt him and might even help.
The testimonials spoke to the product improving everything from skin issues to coat luster to joint and muscle problems- I was SUPER skeptical, but stayed open minded.
I ordered the Antioxidant Treats for Pets for $21 online at their site. (Interesting point: they also sell them for people.) Within three days, they arrived.
Here's what came in the package:
But what would my dog think of them? Rather than treats, they looked like giant vitamins. His reaction:
Within a week, he was walking stronger. The hunch disappeared. He was lifting his head and raising himself up and down without effort.
It was two weeks since the first pill this weekend, and we took a two mile hike today. He did some running, and had no soreness afterward. The hunching hasn't returned, and all of his legs look strong and even.
Just for kicks, I also gave some to my friend who has a schipperke mix with super-itchy skin (another of their cure claims). I asked her how it's going- no more itching. Crazy.
Do I think this is a miracle pill? Right now, YES, I do.
I am going to cut his Tramadol down to once a day and see if the improvement continues. I'll keep you updated on him and the schipperke mix just in case you have or know someone with a pet with similar condition.
In other news, last week I got an amazing gift in the mail from an amazing lady!
After corresponding with the original bag holder creator, she sent me one of her very own designs! I love gifts and getting mail, and this was extra-special since hardly anyone I know shares my love of trash clean ups like she does:
I drove down the hollow today, and another trash pickup is right around the bend- so thank you a million times over to her!
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